Is it OK to Keep Your Iguana in a Cage Instead of a Tank?

Native to lush rainforest areas, iguanas can be kept as pets anywhere in the world so long as they are provided with the proper care and living conditions. You should keep your iguana in an enclosed tank, such as an aquarium, rather than a cage for the safety of the reptile. Keeping your iguana in a metal cage can be dangerous for your pet and make caring for him more difficult.

  1. Improper Temperature Control

    • Iguanas need the enclosure they live in to be kept at a constant temperature because they are cold-blooded. The temperature in the enclosure should be kept between 85 degrees and 96 degrees Fahrenheit at all times for your iguana. In a glass or plastic tank, this is easy to do, but in a barred cage, this is impossible unless the temperature of your house is constantly set at these temperatures. The bars of the cage can easily become too hot under heating lamps and burn your iguana or the heat can escape through the bars of the cage, which can lead to your iguana freezing to death.

    Not Enough Humidity

    • Iguanas need their environment to be extremely humid to thrive and remain healthy. The humidity level should be kept at a constant 65 to 75 percent within the enclosure. In a barred cage, this is impossible to do, whereas in a tank, this is easy as the water cannot evaporate out of the environment as quickly as it can through the bars of a cage.

    Not Secure Enough

    • A glass or plastic tank poses little danger to your iguana and will make escape difficult. An iguana can easily escape out of the bars of a cage or injure itself trying. Keeping your iguana in an aquarium or similar tank will prevent your from worrying about your pet as much when left unattended.

    Sanitation Concerns

    • A plastic or glass tank will keep your iguanas substrate and excrement in a contained area that can be cleaned regularly. You iguana can kick or push their substrate and excrement out through the bars of a cage, causing unsanitary conditions in your home. Also, bugs can easily get into your iguana's enclosure if using a barred cage. Iguanas digestive systems are not built to digest insects or other invertebrates, so this can harm your pet in addition to making the conditions of their enclosure unsanitary.

    Considerations

    • If you live in a hot, humid area, it is acceptable to keep your iguana in an outdoor cage during the day hours when it is warm and humid enough to pose no harm. This will allow your iguana to get some fresh air and bask in real sunlight for short periods of time. However, this should not be used as a permanent housing option for your iguana and you should not leave your pet outside at night if the conditions do not stay hot and humid enough after dark in your area.